Bolts Send Ritola to Norfolk

TAMPA BAY â€“ The Tampa Bay Lightning have assigned forward Mattias Ritola (RIH-toh-lah, mat-TEE-uhs) to the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League today, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced.

Ritola, 6-foot, 192 pounds, has played in five games with the Lightning this season, recording 14 shots on goal while averaging 10:50 in ice time per game. He had season-highs for shots on goal with eight and time on ice with 15:11 on October 13 at the New York Islanders.

A native of Borlange, Sweden, Ritola has played in 43 career NHL games with the Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings, recording four goals and nine points. He appeared in 31 games with Tampa Bay in 2010-11, notching four goals and eight points. Ritola has played in 228 career AHL games with Norfolk and the Grand Rapids Griffins. During that time he has registered 50 goals and 133 points. Ritola has also played in 12 Calder Cup Playoff games, recording a goal and seven points.

Ritola was claimed off waivers by the Lightning from Detroit on October 5, 2010. He was drafted by the Red Wings in the fourth round, 103rd overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.